Tutorials and How To's

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

It's the day before Christmas Eve and Laura has been baking all day for Christmas at her parents house. It's late into the evening and Phoenix is in his PJs ready for bed. Laura tries to finish up the last batch but he's getting fussy.

Laura presses out cookies while holding Phoenix

in the other arm.

*Laura* "This is really hard to do with one arm, Pumpkin...

Mommy needs to put you down."

*Phoenix* "No! No! Cookie!..."*Laura* "It's too late for you to have anymore cookies. Besides, these are

Sunday, October 25, 2015

The Trudeau family pumpkin patch is a buzz with many families couples and visitors from all over. The Allains finish paying for their pumpkin while Katniss and Skipper finally decide on the one they want. Single mom Lara arrives with her son Harry...

*Harry* "Over there! I see the perfect one!"

*Lara* "Okay, let's go look at it..."

Harry inspects the gourd carefully, he has a very specific idea

in mind for his jack o' lantern this year.

*Harry* "I want this one, Mom! It's absolutely perfect!"

*Lara* "Are you sure honey? You haven't even looked at any of the others..."

*Harry* "No, this is the one I want. It'll make the perfect Pokemon jack o' lantern."

While Lara makes sure that this is what her son wants, Luke and Laura have finally made their way to the pumpkin patch after driving a good distance from their inner city home.

Phoenix leans in and reaches he wants to get down but Luke is not ready to let him explore the area. He begins to fuss, he wants to be free, after all he's been sitting in a car seat for the last 45 minutes.*Laura* "Honey, he'll be fine, let him pick out a pumpkin."

*Luke* "I just don't want him running off..."

Luke can't seem to help it but be a helicopter parent. He's never been around children much of his adult life and this is all very new to him.

*Laura* "He's not running off anywhere, we're both here watching him like hawks...besides there is plenty here to keep him busy."

Luke sets Phoenix down, and he stays close to Daddy for a moment, once he gets his bearings he then takes off towards the bales of

hay and pumpkins.

*Laura* "Look at all the pumpkins, Phoenix..."

While Phoenix explores his new surroundings, Katniss and Skipper leave with the pumpkin they have purchased and Lara pays for the one her son harry has chosen.

*Skipper* "So you chose it, I get to carve it..."

*Katniss* "No way! I'm carving it..."
*Skipper* "I guess we'll have to settle this with an old game of rock, papers, scissors."
*Katniss* "Fine, 2 of 3 wins..."

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*Bree* "Okay so that comes out to thirty-two dollars and thirty-two cents."

*Lara* "Wow! Okay, that is one big pumpkin..."

*Harry* "It's a gourd Mom, and I have to have it!"

*Lara* "Okay, okay..."

Lara pays Bree.

*Bree* "What are you gonna do with it?"

*Harry* "I'm making a Pokemon jack o lantern for the contest at school!"

*Bree* "Oh, cool! That will make an awesome Pokemon!"

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*Laura* "Can you say pumpkin?"

*Phoenix* "Kin...Kin..."

So Phoenix takes inventory of every pumpkin within reach, touching each one and saying "Kin"...He's learning quickly!

*Laura* "See, baby, he's fine...and he's learned a new word too!"

*Luke* "You were right, Babe...He's enjoying himself."

*Phoenix* "Kin! Kin!..."

He tries to pick up the big heavy pumpkin but it's too large for him. His efforts land him flat on his bottom, but he is not deterred

by this and tries again. He gets a little frustrated after the second try.

*Luke* "Pick up the little pumpkin, Phoenix..."

Luke points it out and Phoenix grabs it and heaves it up proudly holding the little pumpkin.

Luke and Laura both clap in excitement...

*Laura* "Yay! You did it! Good job Phoenix!"

*Luke* "Good job, little man!.."

*Phoenix* "Kin! Kin!..."

*Laura* "I think we should get that pumpkin, since Phoenix did such a good job

picking it out. What do you think Daddy?..."

*Luke* "I think that's an excellent idea."

Phoenix wants to hand the pumpkin to Mommy...

*Phoenix* "Mama...Kin! Kin!..."

Luke comes in and picks up Phoenix so he can hand

Mommy the pumpkin.

*Laura* "Oh, Thank you! Such a gentlemen..."

As Lara leaves with her son Harry, she stares off in Luke

and Laura's direction. She can't help but look at Luke,

and drool a little...

*Lara mumbles* "Mmmm, now he's DILF material..."

*Harry a bit louder* "What's a DILF?!"

*Lara* "Nothing, honey...Let's just get to the car..."

Luke and Laura don't even notice, they are too

busy with Phoenix.

*Laura* "Why don't we pay for the pumpkin then go on a hayride?"

*Luke* "Sounds good to me..."

Luke starts tickling Phoenix, as they walk towards the counter.

Then Laura notices a familiar face coming towards her.

*Penelope* "Laura?! Ohmygosh, how have you been?"

*Laura* "Penelope! Hi!..."

Luke stays looking down at Phoenix, he thinks "Oh great, I hope she doesn't cause a scene like she did at Benjamin's bachelor party, but then he thinks why would she?"

*Laura* "Wow! I wouldn't expect to run into you here..."

*Penelope giggles* "Me neither!..."

She gives Laura a big hug, but Laura doesn't feel as welcoming, after what Luke told her what took place at the bachelor party.

Luke says hello to the fella she is with.

*Penelope* "Is this Phoenix? He's so big now!"

*Laura* "Yeah, he's 15 months now..."

*Penelope* "Wow! So he's walking and talking, then uh?"

*Laura nods* "Oh yes..."

*Penelope* "Oh! I'm sorry where are my manners?...This is my boyfriend Miguel...Miguel, this is Laura, an old friend from high school...And her husband Luke."

*Miguel* "Hello...Nice to meet you."

Luke and Laura both say hello as well, he seems like a nice guy lets hope he can handle Penelope and her craziness.

*Laura* "So y'all picking out a pumpkin?"

*Penelope* "Yes! We just moved in together, so we're getting

a pumpkin for the trick or treaters..."
*Laura* "Oh, that's wonderful!"

Laura thinks "Well that's good, sounds like she's moved on then."

*Laura* "Oh! Well that's...that's great!

*Penelope* "So how is Michelle doing? It's been what a year since I've seen both of you?"

Laura and Luke both thinking "She had to ask about Michelle!"

*Laura* "She's doing great! Her and Benjamin are getting married, right before

Christmas, then they head off on their honeymoon."

Penelope does her best to hold back her jealousy

but it shows all too well on her face.

*Penelope* "Oh, well that's wonderful! I'm glad to hear they are still getting married...I thought the wedding may have been called off...I guess Benjamin has really changed his ways
for your sister's sake..."

It's obvious, Penelope wonders if Michelle knows about what happened at the bachelor party and so Laura decides to let her know.

*Penelope* "Michelle and Benjamin are very happy, and your little act at the bachelor party has done nothing to change that! And yes Michelle knows all about it. We all know about it! And she is happy with how Benjamin handled the situation. She trusts him completely as he does her..."And of course Penelope plays the victim...

*Penelope* "Excuse me! He had his friends embarrass me at my workplace!...I
was just trying to do my job...I thought you were my friend, Laura?!"
*Laura* "Well, I thought I was your friend. How come you never told anyone you
were working at a gentlemen's club?..."Luke wonders if he should step in and say something but Laura seems to have it handled and she plays it cool, while Penelope gets all emotional.
*Laura continues* "Besides, you could have declined the minute you knew it was Benjamin's
bachelor party. That would have saved you from any embarrassment..."
*Penelope* "I have to work, I lost my job after Penner's went out of business, did Benjamin tell you that?! His company built the MegaMart down the road and Penner's couldn't
make it anymore after that..."

*Laura* "I'm sorry to hear that, but still why didn't you tell anyone? Michelle or I could have helped you out. Are you still angry that Michelle and Benjamin are together?..."

*Penelope scoffs* "No! I could care less who or what Benjamin does...I moved on a long time ago. But Michelle will learn sooner or later he's a cheater and a liar!...She was supposed to be on my side, friends don't do that to each other!...And now you?!

Across the lot, Josh's sister Bree works the counter. While her parents James and Marilyn Trudeau, make sure the pumpkins and other items for sale are stocked. James is Justin's older brother but only by a couple minutes, they are twins. James had a fallout with his parents many years ago because he did not want to work in the family business, but instead wanted to marry a sweet little country girl and buy a farm. As you can imagine, this did not go over well with Erica, she wanted both her boys to take over the family business, but James wanted nothing to do with it. So there was a lot of bickering over it, James went off and eloped against his parents wishes, pretty much ending the feud, but he hasn't been as close to his family since...
*Marilyn* "Do you need me to stay and help you with the customers, Darlin'?"
*Bree* "No, Mama, I'll be fine for now. I'll call ya if it gets too busy."
*Marilyn* "Okay, well just holler at me if ya do..."
*James* "I need to help Josh with the hayride, so..."
*James continues* "If you want help with the rest of your home
goods Darlin'...We better go now..."

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The first customers to arrive for the day are the Allain's, Daniel and Chloe, with their son Parker. Daniel is chief of staff at the hospital and a very talented surgeon. Chloe currently stays at home with little Parker, but she plans to go back to work, in the near future.

*Daniel* "Oh look they have hayrides...You think Parker will like that?"
*Chloe* "I think he's still a little to young...He might not sit still the whole time."
*Chloe continues* "Let's just let him pick out a pumpkin. I think he'll like
exploring around here."

*Daniel* "Okay...Oh look at this pumpkin...Parker."Daniel bends down to pick it up.
*Chloe* "Oh! Look at the pretty pumpkin, Daddy found."

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While the three of them search for the perfect pumpkin, another family has arrived at the pumpkin patch. It's Marissa along with her two little ones...

*Julian* "Look Mama! I want that big one up here!"But Janessa has her eyes on the little one.

*Janessa* "Awww! I like this one! It's so tiny and cute!
*Julian* "No! That's to small! Let's get the big one!"
*Marissa* "Hold on you two, one at a time..."

Marissa decides to pick a pumpkin that is not too big and not too small.*Marissa* "How about this one? I think it'll fit perfect on the front porch steps..."

The kids get excited and everyone agrees that, that one is the perfect pumpkin for them.

*Marissa* "Well let's go pay for this then..."
*Kids* "Yay!...."

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Meanwhile Daniel, Chloe, and Parker are still picking out their perfect pumpkin. Chloe puts Parker down so he can explore.

Parker loves the tiny little pumpkin it's small and light enough for him to carry.

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Marissa pays for thy pumpkin and a pair of local girls that are sisters arrive. They take a selfie with the scarecrow under the arbor.

(Katniss and Skipper are my daughters dolls, they love to visit OneSixthAvenue from time to time)

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Janessa and Julian are so excited about their new pumpkin.

*Kids* "We got a pumpkin! We got a pumpkin! Woohoo!
Woohoo! We got a pumpkin!"

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Meanwhile James talks quietly with his wife Marilyn. He's the tall, strong, and silent type with a deep smooth voice.
*Marilyn* "You know we got an invite to your nephew's wedding?
I think we should go..."

*James grunts a little* "Mmmm...I'll think about."
*Marilyn* "It's been years since we've seen your brother, don't you
think it's time to let it go?"
*James* "Marilyn...don't forget how my Mama disowned me after marrying you,
she's still never apologized for it."
*Marilyn* "Just think about it, your Mama ain't gettin' any younger and neither are you..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Katniss and Skipper finish snapping a few selfies, then get up to go find their own pumpkin.

Marissa finishes paying for the pumpkin and the kids follow.
*Bree* "Bye and thank you for visiting!"
*Janessa* "Can I help make the jack o lantern?"
*Julian* "No! I'm gonna help!"

*Marissa* "You can both help Daddy later this evening after he gets home from work."
*Kids* "Yay!..."
*Janessa* "Mommy? What time does Daddy get home?"
*Marissa* "When dinner is ready...Remember sweetie?"
*Janessa* "Oh...kay.."

*Katniss* "Oooo! Let's get this one!"
*Skipper* "No way! That one is ugly..."

*Katniss* "Oh come on! Use your imagination. That one could be a fun jack o' lantern."
*Skipper* "Let's keep looking..."

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*Chloe* "Take it to Daddy so he can pay for the pumpkin."

*Daniel* "Wow! You carrying that big pumpkin all by yourself?!
Good job buddy!"Parker walks tall and proud carrying his pumpkin...

With Mama following close behind making sure he's okay.*Bree* "He is too adorable!.."

*Daniel* "Good job! Now let's give the pumpkin to the nice girl, so we can pay for it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*Katniss* "Okay, how about this one?"*Skipper* "I like that one."

*Marilyn* "I think it be nice to see your brother and his kids..."
*James* "You really want to go don't you?"
*Marilyn* "It's just a wedding James...not a private family gathering, there's
gonna be lots of people there..."
*James* "Is it formal?"
*Marilyn* "No Darlin' just your Sunday best..."